LocationsHow Small Grants Are Transforming Agricultural Enterprises in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Growing Resilience From Ridge to Reef
February 6, 2026
Ferique Shortte of Union Food Processing speaking with UNDP personnel and Ridge-to-Reef Project Field Officers during a site visit.
UNDP Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean/Kimeisha Bailey
By Kimeisha Bailey
Across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, small agricultural and rural enterprises are charting new paths toward resilience, sustainability, and economic opportunity - thanks to targeted support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Agricultural Micro-Enterprise Post-Production (AMEPP) Small Grants Programme under UNDP’s Ridge to Reef Project. These grants are doing more than improving infrastructure; they are catalyzing local innovation, strengthening food security, and elevating community livelihoods. Three grantees - Kae's Farm, Union Food Processing, and The Bush Bar - offer powerful examples of how thoughtful investment can unlock long-term impact.
Union Food Processing: Scaling an Agro-Processing Success Story
In North Union, Ferique Shortte of Union Food Processing is elevating local agroprocessing to new heights. Known for high-quality hams, sausages, salamis, and fish burgers, Ferique’s business experiences peak demand each Christmas season. With AMEPP support, he has expanded his refrigeration capacity and acquired a high-capacity vacuum sealer, both critical to ensuring efficiency, food safety, and increased production volume.
These enhancements allow Ferique to meet growing community demand while positioning Union Food Processing as a model for value-added agricultural enterprises in the country. His work contributes to local food availability, while also expanding economic opportunities – supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) in practical and measurable ways.
Ferique’s journey shows how small grants can empower agroprocessors to modernize operations and increase competitiveness.
Kae’s Farm: Expanding Production Through Smart Upgrades
For farmer Callysha Browne, owner of Kae’s Farm, the AMEPP grant has enabled meaningful improvements across her livestock operation. With upgraded rabbit pens, duck pens, and chicken coops, along with the acquisition of a poultry plucker, Callysha has significantly improved processing efficiency – reducing time, lowering labour demands, and increasing overall output.
While the work is ongoing, the transformation already demonstrates how post production support can strengthen smallholder farming systems. Callysha’s progress illustrates the heart of the Ridge to Reef mission: empowering farmers to contribute to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through increased food production, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by expanding rural enterprise, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by improving sustainable practices.
Her story reflects the quiet determination of many Vincentian farmers – building resilience one upgrade at a time.
The Bush Bar: Rebuilding and Diversifying Rural Tourism
Perched in the green hills of Queensbury, Zen Punette’s Bush Bar is more than a place to eat – it is an experience rooted in culture, creativity, and ecofriendly rural tourism. Known for Ital and vegetarian cuisine, the Bush Bar attracts hikers and tourists alike, including visitors from the nearby Sandals Resort.
When Hurricane Beryl caused significant damage in 2024, Zen’s spirit of resilience never wavered. Now, with AMEPP funding, she is expanding her workforce and growing her livestock operations to diversify her offerings. The grant also supports new employment opportunities, helping strengthen the local rural economy.
Zen’s leadership embodies what sustainable community tourism can look like: environmentally conscious, culturally authentic, and rooted in community empowerment. Her story mirrors the Ridge-to-Reef Project’s commitment to building resilience across sectors – linking nature, livelihoods, and the local economy.
A Programme Creating Lasting Impact
From enhancing agricultural infrastructure to building stronger agroprocessing systems and revitalizing rural tourism, the AMEPP Small Grants Programme is showing what’s possible when targeted investment meets local innovation. Launched nationally in February 2025, the AMEPP programme responded to widespread demand, with over 200 agribusinesses applying for support. Sixteen successful applicants were selected based on rigorous criteria emphasizing business viability, environmental sustainability, employment potential, women and youth empowerment, and the ability to leverage co-financing. Their projects focus on postproduction improvements, business expansion, climate resilience, and livelihood strengthening - critical needs in a nation where agriculture remains both a cultural backbone and a climate-vulnerable sector.
The grants were disbursed in mid-2025, enabling entrepreneurs to begin upgrading facilities, purchasing equipment, and scaling operations.
By supporting 16 microenterprises across the country, the programme is:
- Strengthening biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Reducing environmental degradation through improved land management practices
- Creating employment and supporting women and youth entrepreneurs
- Improving food safety, production capacity, and local value chains
Building resilience against climate change impacts
These stories demonstrate the transformative power of microgrants in fortifying community livelihoods - from ridge to reef.
Kimeisha Bailey is Communications & Knowledge Management Officer for the Ridge-to-Reef Project.
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